His friends say he was passionate and reckless. A lifelong learner, physical therapist Ian Sim was a husband, father, grandfather, son, mentor, brother and friend. He died in a car accident in October 2007, but he is forever celebrated and remembered by loved ones and a memorial scholarship in his name at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.
The Ian Sim Memorial Graduate Scholarship was established this year, awarded to a physical therapy student who has shown commitment to lifelong learning in his or her career-a quality Sim himself possessed.
"Ian was passionate about the profession. He was never the guy who was shy about speaking out on behalf of PTs, and everyone knew that," says Ken Mark, a close friend and former colleague. "Even though he'd take a position that others may not like, he never backed down on an argument. People like that deserve a legacy-they in their own way were trying to make a difference."
His friend and business partner Jeffrey Begg calls him reckless. "Reckless in the way a grandfather thinks of his grandson spending $75 on a concert ticket. Ian left a secure job in an established clinic with established clientele to start something different-from scratch," Begg explains. "I've come to realize that I like reckless people. They're fun to watch and be around," he smiles.
Sim's start-up clinic grew and survived, and eventually Sim helped employ 25 staff at two different clinics. He was committed to his patients and would often make room for them during his lunch breaks if needed. Sim is known as a pioneer both in manipulative physiotherapy in the 1970s and in IMS (intramuscular stimulation) in the 1990s.
He was a loving husband of 39 years to wife Irene. To his two daughters, he was a supportive father who loved his children intensely. And more recently, he was a zealous grandfather.
This year's inaugural Ian Sim Memorial Graduate Scholarship went to Adam Teece, an MSc PT student who is convocating this fall. His commitment to lifelong learning led him to pursue a performance diploma, a theatre degree and now an MSc.
"I think lifelong learning is about always staying curious and appreciating that there is always more to learn. If you are given the opportunity to pursue these interests, go for it all the way."
Teece is currently on the job hunt and looking forward to practicing physical therapy full-time. He hopes to work with athletes and the general public.
"One of the big draws of physiotherapy for me is that there a great opportunity to continue your education after you have graduated, allowing you to explore many areas of practice and treatment techniques."
He calls Ian Sim an inspiration to aspiring physical therapists.
"My understanding is that Ian was a man who was very passionate about physical therapy and about teaching. He enjoyed teaching students and passing on his knowledge and experience. After completing several clinical placements over the course of my physical therapy degree, I have come to appreciate how valuable it is to have a clinical instructor who is passionate about what they do," he says. "They can really spark a student's interest and change the way the student approaches learning. I think that Ian was one of these excellent teachers. I hope that someday I will be able to follow in Ian's footsteps and pass on my passion for physical therapy to others."
For loved ones like daughters Fiona and Lesley, and wife Irene, a scholarship for the PT student at the U of A is significant and meaningful.
"Our Dad was passionate about education as an end in and of itself, what it could do for the individual as well as the wider community and world. His life was devoted to continuing education, and not just within his subject of physiotherapy," says daughters Fiona McDonald Connell and Lesley Armstrong.
Irene Sim agrees. "He walked the walk himself, increasing his own education in a plethora of subjects and he endeavoured to pass on his drive to learn."
Teece says he will always remain grateful to the Sim family.
"I think that it is wonderful that this scholarship is offered as it helps a student in physical therapy to focus on learning rather than worrying about finances. I'd like to thank Mrs. Sim, her family and their friends, for their support in my education."
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology, physical education, medicine and engineering.